“The Voice” Part 2

The phone rings and when you pick up you hear, “Hey it’s me.” This kind of greeting can only have two answers, “Wait, who is this calling me?” or “Hey, it’s you, how great to hear from you!!!” Your answer is based on something simple; are you familiar with that person’s voice or not? When my wife calls she does not have to announce herself, because I know the sound of her voice on the phone, when your best friend calls you don’t have to ask them to identify themselves, because you know the sound of their voice. Life gets complicated though because daily we hear a number of conflicting voices, and we can struggle to know which voice to listen to. Last week we talked about the voice of the Devil, of doubt, and fear. There is another voice that often gets lost in the shuffle – God’s.

If you look to the first pages of Scripture you can hear God’s voice, “And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.” (Genesis 1:2-3, ESV) From the very beginning God’s voice created, it gave life; it made things into reality on this planet. We can hear God’s voice through the Bible, a book filled with His words. As you read through the Bible, it is hard to not see how He talks about His people, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10, ESV) “Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.“ (Isaiah 43:4, ESV) “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,” (1 Peter 2:4, ESV)

God I am glad you like me, and the Bible says nice things about your opinion of me, but that doesn’t help me with the struggles of life that I have. God also says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” (Isaiah 43:2, ESV) It is not just that God says that he loves you; He promises to be with you, and to protect you.

You may not hear God’s voice if you don’t listen for it, or if you’re not familiar with Him. To be familiar with God, you must do what it takes. You must learn to be open to hear God’s voice in the midst of the rest of chaos of life. It means reading the Bible so you can better learn what His voice sounds like. So when all the voices are calling out saying, “hey it’s me,” you can pick out the voice of the one who is for you, the one who loves you, and the one who wants the best for you, God.

Pastor Bill

Discussion Questions

What can make it hard to hear or understand God’s voice?

How can you sort out God’s voice from all the others?

Is there somewhere in your life right now you are seeking to hear God’s voice?